Cruz: Trump embodies 'Washington corruption'

Ted Cruz is telling Donald Trump's supporters that he understands their anger — but Trump is the wrong candidate to address it.

"We've been lied to over and over and over again," Cruz told reporters Friday before a campaign rally in Maine. "But Donald Trump embodies the Washington corruption that we're angry about."

During Thursday's debate in Detroit and at all his campaign stops, the Texas senator said he is the real conservative in the race, while Trump is the one who has given money to Democratic politicians and advocated Democratic policies. He mocked Trump's claim he would be "flexible" in political negotiations, saying that would lead to a liberal Supreme Court justice and liberal policies in general.

"Flexibility is a Washington code word that he is going to stick it to the people," Cruz said.

While Trump has a healthy lead in the Republican presidential race, Cruz predicted he would still win the nomination — and won't need a "brokered convention" in which the Washington establishment would force a nominee on the party.

"A brokered convention is the pipe dream of the Washington establishment," Cruz said. "Ain't gonna happen."